Dear Lakewood Observer Readers,

The long alluded to changes to the Lakewood Observer are beginning to take place, and this first one is a major one. Leadership of the Lakewood Observer is passing to Mel Page and Margaret Brinich as Publisher and Editor, respectively.  We wish to share with you, what the Lakewood Observer project means to us and why we have decided to take on this responsibility in the Lakewood community.

For several years now, we have contributed as writers, editors, and organizers around the newspaper and many civically engaged projects connected to the LO.  We count ourselves amongst the many direct beneficiaries of the strong empowerment tool, which we now head, both as independent residents of Lakewood and active leaders within community organizations.  The knowledge gained from these experiences will be critical in our ability to ensure we have the resources, logistical know-how, and critical thought to do the same for any individual striving to do good for this city.  

The project grew successfully during its first five years thanks to the response of private Lakewood citizens, institutions, and organizations alike. Whether your credentials are being a Lakewood resident or you are the City Mayor, to be able to communicate with the public like this has opened up a whole new opportunity for the health of our city. We are taking up this project with overflowing enthusiasm for its potential and with your help, intend to see Lakewood blossom with new volunteers, projects, leaders, events, and more.  Although we are new to this level of leadership within the realm of media, we are experienced at serving the community and will continue to do so in this new endeavor. 

We have often heard the Lakewood Observer project described to us as a mirror and this analogy seems particularly appropriate to reiterate at this time of change.  Whether it is the newspaper or the other community based projects that LO supports, the Lakewood Observer is simply capturing the reflection and presenting it back to the community (including the infinitely large online community).  It is through this reflection that we can learn what it means to live right here in Lakewood.  Perhaps even more importantly, we can take a good hard look at the reflection and come away with a better understanding of the different meanings our city has for each of us who live within its boundaries.  

Please understand that this is as much an announcement letter as it is a letter of invitation. We invite you to assist Lakewood in utilizing The Lakewood Observer as its leading voice of democracy and means of serving our community. We are going to hold the mirror steady the best we can. Now we invite you to engage in your community and help determine what is seen in that reflection.

All the best,

Mel Page Margaret Brinich

Publisher Editor

Lakewood Observer Lakewood Observer

Mel Page is the new Publisher of The Lakewood Observer.  Her former career was in financial planning and project management for a local brokerage firm.  Since the birth of her 5 and 3 year old, she began devoting herself as a civic volunteer for various Lakewood services and organizations. The Lakewood Observer will be her top priority but will continue on with the new groups Madison Ave. Merchant Assoc. and Friends of Madison Park.

Margaret Brinich is the new Editor of the Lakewood Observer.  She has lived in Lakewood for 21 years and graduated from Lakewood High School. She holds a BA in Political Science with Honors from Cleveland State University. She is currently President of the Lakewood Earth And Food Community (LEAF) and serves as Chair of their Board of Directors.  For the past 2 years Margaret has worked at the Cleveland Clinic doing research in their Department of Bioethics. She worked as a volunteer intern for Lakewood’s district, State Senator Dale Miller for several years and has volunteered on many political campaigns.